The Family Reunion, a leading culinary celebration of color and excellence, has unveiled its culturally rich programming for next month’s event. Scheduled from August 15-18, the sold-out gathering will feature industry luminaries such as Nyesha Arrington, Mashama Bailey, Rodney Scott, Carla Hall, Gregory Gourdet, Tavel Bristol-Joseph, and Alexander Smalls. This year, the Culinary Institute of America, the alma mater of event presenter Kwame Onwuachi, will be the charitable beneficiary.
Star-Studded Culinary Event
Presented by Chef Kwame Onwuachi in collaboration with Sheila Johnson’s Salamander Collection and FOOD & WINE, the event offers a blend of panel discussions, cooking demonstrations, recreational activities, family lunches, evening parties, and after-hours gatherings. Since its inception in 2021, The Family Reunion has become one of the nation’s top culinary events, attracting approximately 1,000 attendees daily.
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New Partnerships and Highlights
New in 2024, Appleton Estate will engage guests with programming that highlights its Jamaican heritage, including a session titled “Jerk: The Dish That Freed a Nation” featuring tastings and jerk cuisine prepared by chefs Andre Fowles and Osei “Chef Picky” Blackett. Wells Fargo will honor Lifetime Achievement Award recipients through a social media campaign, while United Airlines and Virginia Tourism Corporation will host the opening night cookout with renowned pitmasters.
Amazon will present the Family-Style Lunch on day two, featuring restaurants Tatiana and Kann, along with pastry chef Maya-Camille Broussard. Saturday’s lunch will showcase Virtue, pastry chef Camari Mick, and new menu items from Onwuachi’s upcoming Washington, D.C. restaurant, Dōgon.
Diverse Activities and Events
The event will include breakout sessions such as “A Noble Grain: The Legacy of Rice in America,” featuring Alexander Smalls, George McCalman, and Serigne Mbaye. Favorite activities like ziplining and Family Field Day will return, along with a reality show-style cooking competition judged by celebrities. Saturday night’s Block Party will feature a 90s theme, with surprise musical performances throughout the weekend. The event will conclude with a Sunday Service featuring a Gospel Choir.
Talented Lineup and Location
Supported by Salamander’s culinary team, the 2024 roster includes chefs Virginia Ali, Shorne Benjamin, Kevin Bludso, Damarr Brown, Adrienne Cheatham, Preston Clark, Tiffany Derry, Bryan Furman, Carla Hall, Jessica B. Harris, Brian Jupiter, Vallery Lomas, Mawa McQueen, Lamar Moore, Nina Oduro, Ken Pettus, Millie Peartree, Jamila Robinson, Rodney Scott, and many others. The event will be held at Salamander Middleburg resort, renowned for its Forbes Five-Star rating and 340-acre property.
Sheila Johnson and Kwame Onwuachi Collaboration
Sheila Johnson, co-founder of Black Entertainment Television and owner of Salamander Hotels, is collaborating with Onwuachi to open Dōgon, a new restaurant in Washington, D.C. Onwuachi, owner of the acclaimed Tatiana in New York City, is also the author of the memoir “Notes from a Young Black Chef” and the cookbook “My America: Recipes from a Young Black Chef.”
The 2024 Family Reunion is supported by partners including Salamander Collection, FOOD & WINE, Appleton Estate, Wells Fargo, Amazon, United Airlines, Virginia Tourism Corporation, Coca-Cola, Lexus, Toast, Ecolab, Select Events, Inspire, Zigma World, La Colombe, Visit Loudoun, and AmaWaterways.
For the full schedule and more information, visit salamanderhotels.com/familyreunion or follow on Instagram at @salamanderresort, @salamanderhotels, @foodandwine, and @chefkwameonwuachi.
Source: The Family Reunion Reveals a Culturally Rich Schedule of Events for 2024
